F-102s with Greece and Turkey

Last revised December 4, 1999

The F-102 Delta Dagger was used by only two foreign air forces, those
of Greece and Turkey.

Beginning in 1968, approximately fifty F-102As and TF-102As were
transferred to Turkey from USAF stocks. Before transfer to Turkey,
they were overhauled by CASA in Seville. They were initially
assigned to the 191st Filo (Squadron) based at Murted, replacing
the F-84F Thunderstreaks previously assigned to this unit. This
unit was redesignated 142nd Filo in early 1973. In 1971, F-102s
were also assigned to the 182nd Filo based at Diyarbakir, replacing the
F-84Fs previously being flown by this unit. F-102s remained in service
with these two squadrons until mid-1979, when they were replaced
by the F-104G in the 142nd Filo and by the F-100C in the 182nd Filo.
A couple of Turkish F-102As are reported to have been shot down by
Greek F-5As in mid-1974 when Greece and Turkey clashed over Cyprus.
One kill was by a AIM-9B Sidewinder, the other was by cannon fire.

In light of the supply of Delta Daggers to Turkey, it probably comes
as no surprise that F-102As and TF-102As were also transferred to
Greece. In 1969, Greece acquired 24 of these aircraft for use
by the 114 Pterix (Wing) at Tanagra. 19 of them were single-seat
F-102As, five were two-seat F-102Bs. They served with the Greek air
force until 1978, when the F-102s were replaced by Mirage F1CG
fighters.

Sources:

General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors, John Wegg,
Naval Institute Press, 1990.

United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and
Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.

Fighters of the United States Air Force, Robert F. Dorr and
David Donald, Temple Press Aerospace, 1990.